But, despite this, some of the UK's most famous housing estates have been lauded in an unlikely celebration of city-centre design, this week.

Newcastle’s infamous Byker Wall was crowned the ultimate site at the Academy of Urbanism's Great Neighbourhood Awards on Wednesday, beating off competition from Dublin's Smithfield and London's Golden Lane estates.

Iconic? Newcastle’s Byker Wall won big at the Academy of Urbanism's Great Neighbourhood Awards on Wednesday

The award is one of five given out each year by the organisation; a network of 'built environment' experts from across Europe.

Voted on by its members, the Academy judge against a number of social, economic and environmental factors, including good governance and commercial success.

Timeline: Designed by Ralph Erskine, the once-controversial block started life in 1968 to replace Victorian-era slum housing, but the final sections were only completed in 1982

Success: The Grade II-listed block of 620 maisonettes was ultimately praised for both design and u-turning its ailing fortunes

But the Grade II-listed Byker Wall - a block of 620 maisonettes in Tyneside's Byker region - was ultimately praised for u-turning its ailing fortunes.

Designed by Ralph Erskine, the once-controversial block started life in 1968 to replace Victorian-era slum housing, but the final sections were only completed in 1982.

Built of largely cheap materials - including concrete, brick and timber - it was forced to undergo a two-year refurbishment programme in April 2014, costing £26 million.

Yorkshire entry: Sheffield's Park Hill was listed in the top 10, but failed to make the shortlisted top three buildings

Capital dwellings: The Golden Lane Estate, in London, was built after the devastation of the Blitz in the city's east side

Midlands: Park Central, Birmingham, was also highlighted as contender for the Academy of Urbanism awards

Ireland: Dublin's Smithfield was shortlisted for the top prize, but tied joint-second with London's Golden Lion estate

UK'S HOUSING ESTATES TOP 10:

Byker, Newcastle

Smithfield, Dublin

Golden Lane Estate, London

Greenwich Millennium Village, London

Junction 3, Bristol

New Gorbals, Glasgow

Park Central, Birmingham

Park Hill, Sheffield

Falls Road, Belfast

Trumpington, Cambridge

This saw new roofs, doors and windows installed, while the estate was repainted in the original colours.

Since then, with the help of residents, it has gone on to incorporate green spaces, local businesses and even inclusion on UNESCO's list of outstanding twentieth century buildings.

Hill Haley, chief executive of the Byker Community Trust, who now manages the building, said: 'This is credit to everybody involved, especially the BCT staff, board and residents in helping to transform Byker over the last five years into a place where people aspire to live and work.

'Since July 2012, BCT has made significant improvements on the estate. To date, we have invested £20.5m worth of improvements with a further £21m committed by 2025.

'However, this is not just about investment in the bricks and mortar, Byker is a great neighbourhood where vibrant mixed communities exist and it is steeped in history, something which we are keen to preserve and celebrate.

'It’s already becoming a popular place to live and now it has beaten off strong competition from other great neighbourhoods in Glasgow, Bristol, Birmingham, Dublin and London.'

Not that this is the first accolade it has received.

Royal associations: Prince Philip pictured visiting the Byker Wall estate in Newcastle in 1974, where he's greeted by locals

Changes: Built of largely cheap materials - including concrete, brick and timber - it was forced to undergo a two-year refurbishment programme in April 2014, costing £26 million

In 2013, Bolam Coyne won the Royal Institute Chartered Surveyors award for Best North East Regeneration Project of the Year.

Meanwhile, in 2007, it was awarded a Grade II listed rating as an example of outstanding architecture.

Other winners at the Academy of Urbanism's awards were: Bilbao, Spain, which won the European City of the Year award, and Corby in Northamptonshire, which won the Great Town Award.

Hull's Humber Street Fruit Market picked-up the Great Street Award, while London’s Brunswick won the Great Place Award.